TECHNICAL

BULLETIN

13

AUGUST 2013 | Rev 7

This issue supersedes all previous issues

General guide to good practice in the use of steel roofing

andwalling products
This Technical Bulletin sets out the general
principles of good installation practice.
More detailed information on most of
these points can be obtained from other
Technical Bulletins, which will be given as
references in the text.
Attention to the following factors should
ensure satisfactory performance and
good service life. Manufacturers specific
recommendations about their particular
products should be followed.
1. For correct material selection for the
environment and any special corrosive
influences, refer to:
Technical Bulletin TB-1A Steel
Roofing Products Selection Guide.
Technical Bulletin TB-1B Steel Walling
Products Selection Guide.
2. For design: Minimum roof pitch, support
spacings, metal thickness, refer to:
Technical Bulletin TB-14 Builders
Guide to Australian Steel Sheet and
Strip Standards.
Corrosion Technical Bulletin CTB-8
Building Applications.
3. Site storage before erection, refer to
Technical Bulletin TB-7 Care and
Storage of BlueScope Steel Coated
Steel Products Prior to Installation.
4. Handling steel sheet on site.
5. For laying procedure, refer to roofing
manufacturer recommendations.
6. Type of fastener, including life
expectancy and compatibility, refer to
Technical Bulletin TB-16 Fasteners
for Roofing and Walling Products
Selection Guide.
7. Cutting and avoidance of swarf
damage, refer to Technical Bulletin
TB-5 Swarf Staining of Steel Profiles.
8. Compatibility of accessories including
flashings and sealants, refer to:
Technical Bulletin TB-8 Flashing
Materials for COLORBOND steel and
ZINCALUME steel Sheet
Technical Bulletin TB-9 Sealants
forExterior Finishes.

Three important factors are listed below.

Corrosion Technical Bulletin

CTB-12 Dissimilar Metals.
9. Maintenance procedures to prolong
service life, refer to Technical Bulletin
TB-4 Maintenance of COLORBOND
steel and ZINCALUME steel.

1. MINIMUM PITCH

Minimum pitch has an important influence

on the life expectancy of the product.
Specified minimum pitch varies according
to the depth of the roofing profile and
the means of fixing, such as concealedCORRECT SELECTION OF MATERIAL
fixed or, pierced-fixed. Always follow
The correct selection of roofing and
manufacturers recommendations.
walling materials is the first step in
Profiles designed for roofs with low pitches
achieving the maximum service life
have deeper pans which allows the roof
of a building. The range of products
to effectively drain water without flooding
manufactured by BlueScope Steel is
the side laps. Concealed-fixed profiles
designed to give optimum performance
further enhance the capability of the roof
in a range of environments, from benign
to effectively drain water by not breaching
rural areas to more corrosive industrial
the roof sheet with fastenerholes.
or salt-laden coastal atmospheres. It is
2. CORRECT SUPPORT SPACINGS
amatter of choosing the right product
The correct spacing of supports is a
forits intended location.
critical component of the structural
Selection of the appropriate steel
integrity of the building. Support spacing
roofing and walling products for a given
near the eaves and the ridge is usually less
environment is covered in Technical
than the intermediate spacings to handle
Bulletin TB-1A Steel Roofing Products the increased lift and forces created by
wind turbulence at thesepositions.
Selection Guide and Technical Bulletin
TB-1B Steel Walling Products Selection Information regarding the correct spacing
Guide. These Technical Bulletins not only for specific profiles can be obtained from
cover atmospheric influences but also
the relevant supplier.
the special requirements for industrial
Supports must be carefully aligned to
activities and animal housing. If there
avoid creating low spots in the roof where
is any doubt, it is essential to consult
ponding will occur, which ultimately leads
BlueScope Steel Direct for advice on the
to reduced service life.
appropriate product for a given location
and application.
3. STEEL THICKNESS BASE METAL
THICKNESS
DESIGN
The thickness of BlueScope Steel
There are a number of aspects to be
products is specified as base metal
considered with regard to design that will thickness (BMT) not total coated
influence the service life of the product.
thickness (TCT). See Figure 1 below.
Figure 1: Schematic of BMT vs TCT for COLORBOND steel (not to scale).
Topcoat
Primer
TCT (Total Coated Thickness)

Introduction

Metallic Coating

Steel Base

BMT
(Base Metal
Thickness)

Metallic Coating
Primer
Backing Coat

TECHNICAL BULLETIN TB-13 GENERAL GUIDE TO GOOD PRACTICE IN THE USE OF STEEL ROOFING AND WALLING PRODUCTS

It is important to note that structural

capability is a function of BMT and steel
grade whereas corrosion performance
is afforded by metallic coating thickness
and type. Always ensure that the BMT
specified is as per recommendations.
For further guidance, refer to Technical
Bulletin TB-14 Builders Guide to
Australian Steel Sheet and Strip
Standards.
SITE STORAGE BEFORE BUILDING
Steel roofing and walling products must
be kept dry during transit and storage.
Failure to do so can result in moisture
being drawn by capillary action into
closely packed bundles that can cause
irreparable damage and a significantly
reduced service life.
This of course is not just confined to
steel sheet but applies to other premium
building products. Dry site storage must
always be a consideration with most
building materials.
For more complete details, refer to
Technical Bulletin TB-7 Care and
Storage of BlueScope Steel Coated
Steel Products Prior to Installation.
HANDLING STEEL ROOFING AND
WALLING PRODUCTS ON SITE
Ensure appropriate safety precautions
are taken when handling steel roofing
and walling products on site.
Given the outdoor nature of roofing
and walling erection it is recommended
that suitable precautions be taken to
prevent personal sun damage. It has
been found that sunscreens containing
semi-conducting metal oxides such as
titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide
(ZnO) can accelerate the degradation
of organic materials, including paint
systems.
For personal safety, and to protect the
surface of COLORBOND steel, it is
recommended to:
wear clean, dry, cut-resistant gloves
that are suitable for the task;
take suitable precautions against
personal sun damage; and
prevent contact of the painted surface
with sunscreens that contain titanium
dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO).
LAYING PROCEDURE
Follow manufacturers recommended
instructions.

The proven practice of laying sheets

with overlaps away from the prevailing
weather is the most effective method
and is a requirement of Australian
Standard AS 1562.1-1992 Design
and installation of sheet roof and wall
cladding Metal. This standard states
Consideration should be given to
laying the initial sheet at the leeward
end of the building, so the side laps are
protected from the worst anticipated
weather (Section 4.4 Laying The
Sheeting, Notes 2).
In some unlined COLORBOND steel
roofing applications, such as patios, it
is often desired that the colour of the
finish coat be visible on the underside.
This results in the sheeting being
installed so that the backing coat, ie.
the branded surface, is exposed to
direct sunlight on the top surface of the
roof. This practice is not recommended
as the backing coat does not have the
same level of resistance to chalking and
degradation from UV light as the nonbranded coloured finish coat.
For applications where it is desired
that the bottom surface has a colour
other than the backing coat it is
recommended that enquiries be made
regarding availability of double sided
products that have a finish coat on both
surfaces. In cases where the desired
colour combination is not available then
it is recommended that COLORBOND
steel sheeting be installed with finish
coat exposed to sunlight and backing
coat (underside) be post-painted to
the desired colour as per Technical
Bulletin TB-2 Overpainting and
Restoration of Exterior BlueScope
SteelProducts.
FASTENERS TYPE, LIFE
EXPECTANCY AND COMPATIBILITY
The expected service life of the
fasteners should be equivalent to that
of the roofing and walling material.
BlueScope Steel recommendations
are contained in Technical Bulletin
TB-16 Fasteners for Roofing and
Walling Products Selection Guide and
are based on Australian Standard AS
3566.2-2002 Self-drilling screws for
the building and construction industries
PART 2: Corrosion resistance
requirements.
Special washers have been designed
for fixing roofs in areas prone to
cyclones and are readily available.

There are some commercially available

fasteners with only minimal corrosion
protection. These will quickly corrode
and may affect the integrity of the roof
sheeting.
Fasteners made of some alloy materials
are highly corrosion resistant in their
own right (e.g. stainless steel) but, when
in contact with carbon steel, forms a
galvanic couple, which results in the
corrosion of the steel sheeting.
Fastener manufacturers/suppliers
should be consulted to ensure correct
usage in accordance with Technical
Bulletin TB-16 Fasteners for Roofing and
Walling Products Selection Guide and
Australian Standard AS 3566.2-2002.
CUTTING AND AVOIDANCE
OFSWARF DAMAGE
The process of cutting roof sheeting to
size, or drilling to fix with fasteners, can
create debris, or small metallic particles
called swarf. If left on the roof, swarf is
not only unsightly but can create localised
corrosion and shorten service life.
Any debris, including swarf, should be
carefully removed at the end of each
working day.
BlueScope Steel do not recommend
the use of abrasive discs when cutting
steel roofing and walling products.
Such cutting methods can damage the
edges of the material and may result in
premature corrosion of the edge.
For further details, refer to Technical
Bulletin TB-5 Swarf Staining of Steel
Profiles.
COMPATIBILITY OF ACCESSORIES
INCLUDING FLASHING AND
SEALANTS
There are certain materials that are
incompatible with BlueScope Steels
products. These materials can lead
to premature failure of the steel
product. For a comprehensive guide to
compatible materials, refer to Technical
Bulletin TB-8 Flashing materials for
COLORBOND steel and ZINCALUME
steel sheet and Corrosion Technical
Bulletin CTB-12 Dissimilar metals.
BlueScope Steel recommends the use
of neutral cure silicon sealants. Sealants
with adverse reactions, such as acid
release, should never be used. For
recommendations on sealant usage, refer
to Technical Bulletin TB-9 Sealants for
exterior finishes.

TECHNICAL BULLETIN TB-13 GENERAL GUIDE TO GOOD PRACTICE IN THE USE OF STEEL ROOFING AND WALLING PRODUCTS

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES TO
CONTRIBUTE TO LONG LIFE
Areas not subject to the natural
washing action of rainfall are known as
unwashed areas. In these regions,
dust, dirt and pollutants that would
otherwise be removed by rain, tend
to build up. Regular maintenance and
removal of these contaminants by
cleaning with fresh potable water (in
accordance with local regulations), will
help prevent the formation of localised
areas where premature corrosion might
occur. Accumulations of windborne
salty deposits in seaside localities can
have a particularly aggressive effect on
steelproducts.
For further recommendations on
maintenance procedures, refer to
Technical Bulletin TB-4 Maintenance
of COLORBOND steel and
ZINCALUMEsteel.
SUMMARY
This Technical Bulletin is not a complete
or exhaustive guide to all techniques
and trade practices, many of which are
common practice. It is the responsibility
of the relevant contractor to comply with
good building practices. This Technical
Bulletin is intended as a guide only.
RELATED BLUESCOPE STEEL
TECHNICAL BULLETINS
Technical Bulletin TB-1A
Steel Roofing Products Selection
Guide
Technical Bulletin TB-1B
Steel Walling Products Selection Guide
Technical Bulletin TB-2
Overpainting and Restoration of Exterior
BlueScope Steel Products

Technical Bulletin TB-4

Maintenance of COLORBOND steel
and ZINCALUME steel
Technical Bulletin TB-5
Swarf Staining of Steel Profiles
Technical Bulletin TB-7
Care and Storage of BlueScope
Steel Coated Steel Products Prior
toInstallation
Technical Bulletin TB-8
Flashing material for COLORBOND
steel and ZINCALUME steel Sheet
Technical Bulletin TB-9
Sealants For Exterior Finishes
Technical Bulletin TB-14
Builders Guide to Australian Steel
Sheet and Strip Standards
Technical Bulletin TB-16
Fasteners for Roofing and Walling
Products Selection Guide
Corrosion Technical Bulletin CTB-8
Building Applications
Corrosion Technical Bulletin CTB-12
Dissimilar Metals
REFERENCED AUSTRALIAN
STANDARDS
AS 1562.1-1992 Design and
installation of sheet roof and wall
cladding Metal.
AS 3566.2-2002 Self-drilling
screws for the building and
construction industries PART 2:
Corrosion resistance requirements.
NOTE:
All Australian and Australian/New Zealand
Standards should be read to incorporate any
and all amendments to the most recently
publishedversion.

If you have any questions regarding this Bulletin, please contact

BlueScope Steel Direct on 1800 800 789.
To ensure you have the most current Technical Bulletin, please
go to bluescopesteel.com.au.

The information and advice contained in this Technical Bulletin (Bulletin) is of a general nature only and has not been prepared with your specific needs in mind. You should always obtain
specialist advice to ensure that the materials, approach and techniques referred to in this Bulletin meet your specific requirements.
BlueScope Steel Limited makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any estimates, opinions or other information contained
in this Bulletin and to the maximum extent permitted by law, BlueScope Steel Limited disclaims all liability and responsibility for any loss or damage,
direct or indirect, which may be suffered by any person acting in reliance on anything contained in or omitted from this Bulletin.
COLORBOND, ZINCALUME and BlueScope are registered trade marks of BlueScopeSteel Limited.
2013 BlueScope Steel Limited ABN16 000 011 058. BlueScope Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd ABN 19 000 019 625. All rights reserved.